The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
Aurora, in full sympathy with the temper of the


And Id like to know if you have all gone
crazy' exclaimed Vesper. standing in the middle
of tie floor and looking from to the other.
For PHYS sake, what did You mean by my be-
ing killed. And what did Ro mean by coming
mp the walk in such ridiculous SHAPED And
what was Mr.. Selwyn in my room with
forl-was he hunting for wood-pile among the
furniturel And what did that gun go off forl
were all armedl declare. it is enough to kill
anybody anyway" and as she thought of Fred's
conduct again she broke down and began to cry
Historically
Mrs. Wellands severity relaxed at once and
Aurora sprang forward and casped Vesper in her
embrace and began to shower loving words and
tender kisses upon her, while Phil Bently stood
by and watched the course of events, with what
he afterwards called 'diotic helplessness
But VeSper soon settled down IN judicial
mood and was bent upon an investigation.
Finding that the servant was responsible for her
alleged death. she summoned her to appear.
Hetty had already been sorely tried by the
ridiculous disproval of her story and its conse-
qnences and when Vesper peremptorily chal-
lenged her reasons for spreading such report,
the girl began to cry, but managed to describe
Vesper's condition on the floor, and to bring in
enough about the proceedings of Predmore to
seriously compromise that worthy.
This was getting nearer to the beginning of
things than Vesper counted on: the three listen
ers were turned into Interrogation and exciara-
ton points, and Vesper was compelled TO turn
to tell the reason of her faintin and OF her
fathers absence from the scene.
At this revelation Mrs. Weland's indignation
ran high, and she was about to indulge in some
very highlv-seasoned remarks, when she discov-
cred that Phil and Ro were acting in strange
manner. They blushed crimson, and then broke
out into immoderate laughter. They had both
reached some private conclusions, and Bently
felt in honor bound to turn examiner.
~ "Mss Vesper, will you please tell me what
Mr.. Predmore looks likel" asked he
Vesper described him somewhat fatterngly.
but gave enough of the facts to enable both
Bently and Aurora to identify him as the one
who had intruded upon their private worship.
This discovery, with its obvious conclusions,
caused Bently to dance around the room as il he
had been inhaling laughing gas.
In view of this inexplicable conduct, and Pred
mores more inexplicable departure from the
island, Mrs Weland became fully convinced
that her twin daughters had made the acquaint-
ance of pair Of twin fools, and that her hus-
band had spoiled the summer vacation by iuvit-
ing them to share it.
Bently saw the cloud gathering on the ma
ternal brow and chvalrously determined to be-
come the lightning rod that should make it
harmless He told the whole truth as nearly as
he dared to give it, and in its light there no
mistsking the impression that was produced
upon Predmore. The curtain was suddenly
lifted. Aurora blusbed deeply; Vesper rejoiced
greatly, and Mrs. Welland became inclined to
take more charitable views of things
well. we'll, WE'LL" she exclaimed. with q Sigh
of infinite relief, "thls is the most uncommon
mistake ever heard of: I do hope that your
father will get back alive and bring the poor boy
with him."
Even Hetty's tears dried up in the general
sunshine, and she forgot her own SORROWS in her
pity for Predmore and Vesper
The next morning there was a quartet on the
pier anxlousiy awaiting the appearance Of the
steamer from Alexandra Day. When she came
around the bend in the island, two opera glasses
being brought to bear upon her. Mr. Welland was
discovered standing in the bow. and by his side
the victimized truant- The little group upon
the pier Immediately blossomed into fiutteripg
handkerchiefs which were quickly responded to
by the returning prodigals. Predmore declared.
however. that he was unable to determine from
his feelings whether he was going to paradise
execution.
Vesper was quite weak in consequence of the
excitement of the previous day. and Bently gal
lanty offered her the support of his
Oh no; thanks:" she exclaimed resolutely; .sif
I am found standing with you, Fred will mis-
take Ro for me. and then there will be another
snarl to untaEgle | don't see what twins were
ever made for. Government ought to stamp US
with a separate kind of stamp so as to keep us
from imposing upon honest people. Now, sir
please take your place by Ro, aud for goodness
sake keep clear of me for the rest of the day or
at least long enough for Fred to find out which
is which, if he can"
Vesper placed herself by the side of her
mother, while Aurora and Bently stood together.
with keen realization of the position in which
|. Predmore had first come upon them.
When Predmore landed, bis sense of the ludi-
crous stood him in good stead. and it was with
difficulty that he could keep his face straight
As it was. he would have been utterly unable to
have identified his betrothed. had she not ad-
vanced and lifted pair of pouting lips toward
his brown mustache.
When Mr.. Weliand had finished introducing
Predmore to Aurora. who dropped her eyelds,
and to Bently. who lifted his eyebrows, and to
Mrs. Welland, who dropped the corners of her
mouth, he said:
Now, if there is any more mixing done
among you. you'll have to get unmixed wthou.
my help"
AS Predmore walked up the cottage lane with
Vesper, he said
But. Yes. how am to keep you distinguished
from your sister,"
Leave that to me, she replied archiy
By some means the residents of the island got
clew to matters and the uncommon mistake
became the sensation of the summer stay